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R. H. GODDARD. MAGAZINE'ROCKET} APPLICATION FILE!) "B125. l9l8.

Patnted Aug 5,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M1 MW B R. H. GODDARD.

MAGAZINE ROCKET.

APPLICATION FILED AHLZG, me.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

652% 5 9r awa a STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

ROBERT E. GODDARD, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

MAGAZINE-ROCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 2c, 1918. Serial No. 280,872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. GODDARD, a citizen of the United States. residing at Worcester, in the count of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, ave invented a new and useful Magazine-Rocket, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in magazine rockets of the general 'type disclosed in .my rior application Serial No. 201,472, filed. N dvember 12, 1917.

In this type of rocket a relatively small charge of explosive is ignited in the combustion chamber and the gases generated by the explosion are expelled through a tapered nozzle connected to the lower end of the chamber. A movable breech block is provided for closing the upper end of the chamber, and automatic devlces are also provided for removing and replacing the breech block after each explosion, thus permitting the insertion of a fresh cartridge.

It is the general o'bjet'of my present inventionto improve the construction of magazine rockets of this type, simplifying the manufacture thereof and rendering the mechanism more reliable inoperation.

With this general object in view, one. fee} ture of myfpresent invention relates to the provision 0 loading mechanism, such devices being actuated by the pressure of a ortion only of the gases escaping from t e combustion chamber. By this arrangement the forces to be controlled are materially reduced.

In the embodiment of my invention herein shown, I rovide a movable member directly actuated y a portion of the escaping gases and controlling the operation of the reloading mechanism.

Another important feature of my invention relates to devices for locking the breech block in the combustion chamber, and for releasing the breech block after the ressure of the explosion is somewhat reduced Further features of my invention relate to devices for correcting deviation of the rocket from the-true line of flight, to improved supporting structures for the several.

parts, and to an improved and simplified firing mechanism.

devicesfor operating the re- My invention further relates to certain arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention and a modification thereof are shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved rocket;

Fig. 2 is a partial elevation, partly in section, and taken in ,a plane at right-angles to the plane of Fig. /1;-

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation of the breech block and one form of locking device therefor;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial elevation of the breech block shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. .6 is a plan view of the upper end of the combustion chamber elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the locking collar;

Fi 10 is a perspective view of the cam whic actuates the collar'shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the means for unlocking the collar;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view showing the devices for raising the breech block;

Fig. '13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in Fig. 12;

F i 14 is a detail sectional view showing the evices for correcting the flight, taken on the line 1414 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 15 is a front view ofthe mechanism shown in Fig. 14;

F i 16 is a sectional elevation of the charm er and breech block, and a modified bustion chamber 21 having its lower end extended to form a discharge nozzle 22. The combustion chamber is provided with flanges 23' and 24 to which is secured a frame-Work 25 slidable in the casing 20. Spri 26 and 27 normally hold the combustion c amber in the position shown in Fig. 1, these springs being retained in position by brackets 28 secured to the casing 20. This method of supporting the parts allows the chamber to rise slightly within the casing at each explosion, thus relieving the sudden strain on the parts. cylinders 29 may be mounted beneath the framework 25, the slow escape of air therefrom retarding the return movement of the chamber. Similar air cylinders (not shown) may also be mounted above the framework 25.

A breech block 30 (Fig. 1) closes the upper end of the chamber 21, said breech block having an upward extension 31 by which it is connected to a shell or other weighted portion 32 in the upper part of the rocket. The

shell 32 is guided for longitudinal movement in an inner casing 33, and is pressed downward by a light spring 34.

Any suitable devices may be provided for firing the cartridge 35 in the combustion chamber, but I prefer to use the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 16 in which the upper end of the cartridge is received witlrin a depending tapered flange 36. A firing pin 37 is formed in the upper end of the recess inclosed by the flange 36, and the upper end of the cartridge 35 is so shaped that it will be engaged by the firing pin 37 after the breech block has been forced downward over the cartridge. The cartridges are commonly formed with walls of smokeless powder or other thin combustible material, and may be crushed slightly by the breech block in its final downward movement, thus permitting it to be forced into the recess in the flange 36 and into engagement with the firing pin 37.

The flange 36 not only the cartridge, but also is expanded slightly under the force of the explosion and prevents the escape of gases through the upper end of the combustion chamber. For this purpose the flange is made cylindrical on its outer surface and comparatively thin at its lower edge, and its length is preferably equal or greater than its diameter. In Fig. 16 I have shown the flange as extended to a somewhat greater extent than in Fig. 3.

In order to retain the breech block in position to close the combustion chamber until the pressure generated by the explosion has been reduced, I provide locking devices for the breech block. In the form shown in Figs. 3 to 12 these locking dev ces comprise a locking collar 40 having a plurality of If found desirable, airwithin the lower end of the nozzle 22.

guides and centers from the collar 40 and may be provided at its outer end with a cam roll 44.

For actuating the arm 43 to unlock the collar 40, I provide a sleeve 45 (Figs. 1 and 2) slidably mounted on guides 46, conveniently secured to the outer surface of the nozzle 22. At its lower end the sleeve 45 is provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange 47 (Fig. 1), said flange projecting slig pplly 1s flange may be concave in section, as shown in Fig. 1, and a second flange 48 of convex section may be mounted outside of the flange 47. Springs 49 (Fig. 2) hold the sleeve 45 normally in the position .shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The combined force of the springs 49'is greater than that of the spring 34.

When an explosion takes place in the combustion chamber, a certain portion of the gases engage the flange 47 and are deflected outwardly by said flange. Such engagement by the rapidly moving gases causes the sleeve 45 to move downwardly against the tension of the springs 49. The sleeve 45 is provided with two upward extensions 50 (Fig. 2), guided in recesses in the framework 25 and provided at their upper ends with a cam surface 51 (Fig. 11) on one extension and with shoulders 52 on both. As the sleeve and extensions are forced downwardly by the escaping gases, the cam surface 51 engages the cam roll 44 (Fig. 9) and turns the locking collar to the position shown in Fig. 4. The breech block is thus unlocked, and I have provided .means for then positively starting the breech block from its seat. For this purpose levers 53 (Figs. 4, 6 and 7) are pivoted on the sides of the projections 42 of the combustion chamber 21 and have their short inner ends extended beneath the collar -40. As the sleeve 45 approaches its lowest position, the shoulders 52 on the extensions 50 engage the levers 53, and thus give the breech block a short positive upward movement.

Adjacent their upper ends the extensions 50 are provided with catches 541 (Fig. 12) adapted to engage beneath the shell .32 'as the breech block is loosened by the levers 53. The force of the explosion having been exhausted by this time, the springs 49 return the sleeve 45 to original position, thereby position, pins 55 (Fig. 12) projecting laterally from the catches 54 engage downwardly inclined cam plates 56 on the inner casing 33 and are forced outwardly thereby, thus releasing the shell 32 and permitting the breech block to return to tion.

I have also provided devices for moving the collar 40 to locking position after the breech block is thus returned. For this purpose I provide a. cam plate 57 (Figs. 6 and its original posi- 10) adapted to engage the arm 43 or roll 44 (Fig. 9) as the breech block descends, and to move the arm and with it the collar 40. to locking position. Such movement is limited bya shoulder 58 formed on the end of the plate 57. It is necessary that this-movement shall take place during the final downward movement of the breech block,'and I therefore provide a space beneath the projections 42 (Fig. 3) of the combustion chamber somewhat greater than the height of the collar, to permit this locking movement. If desirable, I may also provide ball bearings 59 (Fig. 3) beneath the collar 40 to permit it to be more easily moved. When the explosion takes place, the breech block is free to move upward slightly before the locking collar engages the projections 42, but this slight movement is not objectionable.

The mechanism thus far described pro vides therefore for positively locking the breech block until the force of the explosion has been reduced, means for thereafter unlocking and releasing the breech block and for raising the same to permit reloading of the chamber, and also provides for the return and relocking of the breech block before the next explosion occurs.

In Figs. 1, l4 and 15'I have indicated devices for correcting deviations in the line of flight. For this purpose resilient tongues 60 (Fig. 1) are cut in the casing 20, each tongue being integral with the casing 20 at its upper end and being provided on its inner side with a cam plate 61. A shaft or roll 62 is guided for vertical movement in ways 63 (Fig. 14) fixed to the casin 20. The shaft 62 is supported on each si e of the cam plate 61 by straps 64 (Fig. 15) extending downwardly from a piston 65 mounted in a sleeve 66, the piston being normally retained in its lower position by a spring 67. Compressed air may be admitted below the piston, thus raising the piston 65 and causing the shaft or roll 62 to force the cam plate 61 and tongue 60 outward, and correcting the flight of the rocket. The admission of air on either-side of the rocket will preferably be governed by a gyroscopic mechanism (not shown) which may .be of any usual form and is no part of my invention.

' In Figs. 16 to 19 I have shown a modified form of locking device. In this construction a locking collar is loosely mounted on the shank of the breech block 71, the

collar bein retained between a flange 72 and a ring'%3, and having a slight free longitudinal movement thereon. The collar 7 0 is provided with rings or ridges 74 cut away to form separated sectional teeth 75, as shown in Fig. 18. The combustion chamber is provided with corresponding grooves cut away .to provide sectional pro ections 76 corresponding to the teeth 75.

For the purpose of unlocking the collar 70, I provide arms 77 (projecting laterally from a ring 77. secure to the top of the combustion chamber by screws extending through slots in the ring, thus permitting limited angular movement of the ring. Studs 70 in the collar 70 extend into recesses 7 7 in the inner edge of the ring when the breech block is in normal position. As the chamber and breech block rise, the arms 77 engage cam plates 78 ('Fig. 1) fixed on the casing 20, which turn the collar as the combustion chamber approaches its upper limit of travel, thus releasing the collar and permitting further-upward movement of the breech block. A spring 79 (Fig. 16) is fixed at one end to the shank of the breech block 71 and at its other end to the v collar 70. The end of this spring extends through the collar in position to engage a shoulder 80 (Fig. 18). The spring'acts to hold the collar normally against the flange- 72 on the breech block and also in the position in which the teeth of the collar register with the recesses in the chamber, leaving the collar free to move longitudinally. As the breech block returns, the collar engages a shoulder 81 (Fig. 16) on the chamber and its further travel is prevented thereby. The breech block, however, continues to move for a short distance and in so doing a pin 82 fixed in the shank of the breech block en gages the-short end of a lever 83 (Fig. 19) pivoted at 84 on a bracket 85 fixedto the chamber. The longer-depending end of the lever 83 engages a pin 86 on the collar 70 and turns the collar against the tension of the spring 79 to locking position. The parts remain in, this position until the breech block and chamber are moved upward by the next explosion.

In this modification it will be seen that the combustion-chamber, and-thatthe slidnot-used. 1 a

Having thus described my invention, it will be evident that changes and modifications can be made therein "by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the claims, and I do not wish'to be otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is- 1. "A' magazinerocket having a casing, a

combustion chamber, a nozzle, a relatively movable breech block, means to lock said breech block in said chamber, and separately movable devices operated by direct engagement therewith, of gases moving rapidly through said nozzle effective to unlock said breech block and to produce relative separation of said breech block and chamber after said parts are unlocked.

2. A magazine rocket having, in combination, a casing, a combustion chamber, a nozzle, a relatively movable breech block, and devices for moving said breech block away from said chamber, said devices being placed in operative condition by utilizing the kinetic energy of a portion only of the gases moving rapidly through said nozzle.

3. A magazine rocket having a casing, a combustion chamber, a nozzle, a relatively movable breech block, a member slidable longitudinally of said chamber and having a portion projecting into the path of the gases escaping therefrom, springs yield ingly holding said member in normal position, and parts on said member engaging said breech block when said member is displaced and raising said breech block as said member returns to normal position.

a. A magazine rocket having a casing, a combustion chamber, a nozzle, a relatively movable breech block, a sleeve slidably mounted on said nozzle and having an annular ring secured thereto projecting within the edge of said nozzle, and upwardly projecting cam plates movable with said sleeve and efiective to unlock said breech block and to positivelymove said breech block from its seat on said chamber.

5.. In a magazine rocket having a casing, a combustion chamber, a nozzle, and a relatively movable breech block, a collar on said breech block having a projecting 'arm,

means to lock said collar in position, a lever fixed to said chamber and having one end disposed beneath said collar, and means acting on said arm to unlock said collar and also effective to actuate said lever to lift said collar from its initial position.

6. In a rocket, a combustlon chamber, and a breech block having a flange depending within said chamber, said flange being substantially cylindrical on its outer surface said cartridge,'-'-'sa id-breech block having adepending 'flangewvitha recess therein grad-- ually contracted toward its inner end to a diameter slightly less-than that of the upper end of the c'artr'idge-andhaving'a firing pm in the end of said recess adapted to engage and fire'sai'd cartridge when the cartridge'is forced into said recess.

8; In a magazine rocket, a combustion chamber, a breech block, a locking collar movable on said breech block, cooperating locking projections on said collar and said chamber, and means to cause relative movement of part of said projections into and out of alinement with the other part.

7 9. In a magazine rocket, a combustion chamber, a breech block, a locking collar movably mounted on said breech block, cooperating locking projections on said collar and said chamber, and means to unlock said collar as said chamber rises and to lock said collar as the breech block descends.

10. In a magazine rocket, a combustion chamber, a breech block, a locking collar movably mounted on said breech block, cooperating locking projections on said collar and said chamber, means to unlock said collar to release said breech block, and means, actuated by the breech block as it descends, effective to lock said collar.

11. In a rocket, a combustion chamber, a breech block, a locking collar having limited angular and longitudinal movement on said breech block, means to stop the travel of the collar before the breech block reaches its seat, and devices actuated by said breech block effective to thereafter give said collar an an lar locking movement.

12. n a magazine rocket, a casing, a combustion chamber, means to fire a propelling chargein said chamber, and means to correct the resultant flight of said rocket, said means comprising oppositely disposed vanes normally continuous with the surface of said casing, and means to deflect said vanes from normal position.

' 13. In a magazine rocket, a casing, a combustion chamber, means to fire a plurality of cartridges successively in said chamber, and means to correct the resultant flight of said rocket, said means comprising oppositely disposed vanes in said casing, cam ates on said vanes, actuating members gui ed adjacent said cam' plates, and means to move said members relatively to said cam plates and vanes. V

14, In a magazine rocket, a casing, a com: bustion chamber, a frame secured to said combustion chamber and slidable in said easin and springs yieldingly maintaining said c amber 1n normal position but permitting movement therefrom in either direction.

15. In a magazine rocket, a casing, a com- 5 bustion chamber, a frame secured to said combustion chamber and slidable in said casing, yielding means holding said com-.

bustion chamber normally in mid-position but permitting movement therefrom in either direction, and cushioning devices also 10 engagin said frame to reduce sudden movements t ereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature. v

ROBERT E; GODDARD. 

